The sect arena thrummed with energy. Thousands gathered—disciples from every class, elders cloaked in cloudweave robes, and even outer clan representatives. Murmurs rippled like waves as the Judgment Trial was officially declared open.
At the center of the colossal ring, twelve golden pillars gleamed beneath the morning sun.
"Top ten will earn direct entry to the Inner Court's Advanced Division," the announcement echoed.
"And the bottom ten…" Elder Jiang sneered from the stage, "will clean latrines for the next three months."
Laughter followed.
Ye Feng stood near the edge, arms crossed, unbothered. His black robe fluttered slightly, the only sound from him the tap-tap of his thumb against his wrist.
Beside him, a girl in green armor narrowed her eyes. "You're that Ye Feng?"
He gave a half-smile. "Depends. You here to cheer, challenge, or cry?"
[Event Detected: "Judgment Trial – Open Format Melee"]▸ Objective: Top Ten Ranking▸ Bonus Objective: Slap at least five top-ranked disciples publicly▸ Penalty for Failure: Public Shame Multiplier (x2)
Round One: The Slap Zone
"Participants one through fifty—enter!"
Ye Feng stepped in.
So did Zhou Tiankai—the second-ranked inner disciple. Lean, smug, and with a mouth made for insults.
Zhou looked Ye Feng up and down. "You're the clown who slapped Wushen? Trash like you belongs in the kitchens, not the ring."
Ye Feng rolled his neck. "You done? Or is your mouth just warming up for the slap?"
Zhou's face twisted. "You—!"
[Trigger Detected: "Verbal Threat × Crowd Presence × Overconfidence"]▸ Activate Slap Returner (Lv. 2)?▸ Chain With: Mockery Multiplier × Iron Palm × Ghost Vein?
Selected: All.
Ye Feng moved.
THWACK.
The slap landed squarely. Zhou spun twice before crashing to the ground, cheek steaming, eyes wide like a broken puppet.
Silence.
Then:
[Face-Slap Critical Hit!]+100 EXP+30 Reputation+2 Infamy+1 Skill Level Up▸ Slap Returner → Lv. 3
[Bonus Achieved: Public Slap – High-Ranking Target]▸ Hidden Title Unlocked: Trialbreaker
Elder Jiang choked on his tea.Another elder muttered, "Did… did he just slap Zhou Tiankai senseless?"
Outside the Arena
From the pavilion balcony, Lin Ruyan froze mid-sip.
Her cup trembled slightly.
Wei Qingyue leaned forward with a smirk. "Still think he's weak?"
Ruyan said nothing—but her fists tightened in her lap.
And worse yet… her heart skipped.
"He shouldn't have improved this much," she whispered.
Qingyue sighed. "What a shame. You dumped a dragon before it hatched."
Back in the Ring
"Next challenger!" the elder called, visibly shaken.
No one stepped forward immediately.
Ye Feng cracked his knuckles. "Really? No one?"
A bulky figure finally stepped up. "You'll regret showing off," he growled.
Ye Feng's grin widened.
[Trigger Detected: "Overconfident Tank-Style Cultivator"]▸ Weak Point Exposed: Ear + Ego▸ Recommended Attack: Humiliation Combo
SLAP. SLAP. SLAP.
Three strikes. One to each cheek, and one across the back of the head.
[Slap Combo x3 Achieved!]+150 EXP+1 Skill Fusion Possible▸ Iron Palm + Ghost Vein = Phantom Pulse Strike (Lv. 1)– Slap sends delayed shockwaves into opponent's qi core.
By the end of Round One, Ye Feng stood untouched in the center of five unconscious opponents.
[Ranking: 2nd – Pending Final Round][Crowd Favor: Rising Rapidly][Waifu Alert: Qingyue Favorability +5 | Lin Ruyan Confusion +6]
Ye Feng's Stat Update – Post Round One
Strength: 26 (base)
Agility: 19
Charisma: 20
Reputation: 175
Infamy Level: 4
Skills:
Slap Returner (Lv. 3)
Iron Face (Passive)
Mockery Multiplier (Lv. 1)
Iron Palm Art (Lv. 3)
Ghost Vein Palm – Echoing Variant (Lv. 1)
Slap Aftershock (Passive)
NEW:Phantom Pulse Strike (Lv. 1)– Delayed qi disruption after impact
Titles:
Fallen Genius
Trialbreaker
Face-Slap Monarch (Provisional)